Connell triplets take best shot at states

As the first Saturday in November approaches, it can mean only one thing for the Connell triplets — time to book a room in Hershey for the PIAA Cross Country Championships.

Katie, Megan and Dan Connell were born, in that order, on March 8, 1996. The 17-year-olds from Langhorne are now high school seniors.

Katie and Megan run for Archbishop Wood, while Dan competes for Holy Ghost Prep.

All three qualified for the state championship meet, which will take place Saturday in Hershey.

“We always cheer for each other,” Katie said. “It’s going to be special. It’s the state meet. It’s our last big race.”

As Wood and Holy Ghost usually have different weekend schedules, the girls and their brother will be running on the same course for the first time this season.

“It’s usually the only convenient meet for my mom,” Dan said.

Mary Connell coached Katie and Dan in cross country and track and field at Our Lady of Grace CYO in Penndel. At the time, Megan favored soccer.

The triplets have two older sisters. Bridget played soccer at Wood. Erin was a field hockey player at Nazareth Academy.

Katie will be running at states for the fourth time. Dan and Megan, who made the switch from soccer to cross country as a sophomore, will be making their third trip to Hershey.

“It’s really big that all three of us are going there together,” Megan said. “Hard work pays off.”

Wood and Holy Ghost will both run in the Class AA race.

The Vikings are going as a team, having won the District 12 championship.

The Firebirds lost a close battle with Pottsgrove for the team bid in District One, but Connell and teammates Christian Kardish and Patrick Dineen qualified individually.

By sometime after 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Wood could be celebrating a state team championship.

The Vikings are led by Megan, who was the runner-up in the District 12 and Philadelphia Catholic League races. Katie was fourth and fifth, respectively, running a nice 19:50.05 at the tough Belmont Plateau course at districts.

“I’m really excited,” Katie said. “It’s senior year. We’re all really focused and prepared. Winning states has been our goal all year. It would be the ultimate dream. We have the talent. It depends on how we perform.”

“We’ve been working really hard and pushing each other in practice, and it’s showing in our performances,” Megan said.

Wood has some extra incentive. The Vikings want to win states for their assistant coach, Betty Doyle. She and her husband Thomas were driving on I-95 in Virginia on Oct. 10 when an object shattered their window. Coach Doyle suffered a neck injury. Her husband sustained a spine injury.

Megan said the incident has brought the program closer together, and the girls have adopted a “Do it for Betty” motto entering states.

More importantly, they hope for a full recovery for both victims.

“We’re going to be there for Betty and her husband,” Megan said.

Katie said the Vikings were buoyed that fellow PCL teams showed their support for Doyle at the league meet.

The Wood runners have sent cards, flowers, text messages and prayers to the Doyles. They’ve worn bracelets and ribbons in support.

“We miss her. She is in our thoughts and prayers, and we can’t wait until she comes back,” Katie said.

Dan is coming off a championship performance at the district meet. He was runner-up at the Bicentennial Athletic League meet.

Earlier this week, Connell joined Kardish (the district runner-up) and Dineen in one final hard workout that coach Mike Meistering called a reminder that, “Running fast is fun.”

While Katie and Megan are shooting for a team championship, Dan is hoping for a top-25 finish that would earn him a medal.?

Tom Waring: 215-949-4215; email, twaring@calkins.com

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